Iceland has announced their 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and there are a few good news for the fans. There were speculations of their leading man Gylfi Sigurdsson missi out from the World Cup squad due to the knee injury he picked up while playing for Everton in the English Premier League back in March. However, Heimir Hallgrímsson named him in the squad alongside Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Cardiff City’s Aron Gunnarsson.
It is Iceland’s first appearance at the FIFA World Cup, and they’re leaving no stone unturned to ensure they continue their success at the international stage. They have been a surprise ever since they made it through to EURO quarters in 2016. They were responsible for the ouster of England in the round of 16, and they notably held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in the group stages. It won’t be wrong to term their current squad of players the best Iceland has witnessed in its history
They have been clubbed alongside Argentina, Nigeria, and Croatia. Barring Nigeria, both the oth sides look far more superior than Iceland on paper and getting past them won’t be easy by any means. They have had a couple of disappointing results in their last two friendlies which has raise quite a few concerns for Heimir Hallgrímsson, especially regarding their defence. They have two more chances to get that right though when they take on Norway and Ghana on 2nd June and 7th June respectively before kick-starting their campaign in Russia against Argentina on 16th June.
The result of their first game will be pretty much enough to estimate how far they’re likely to go.
Contents:
1 Confirmed Iceland Team Squad for FIFA World Cup 2018
1.a Iceland World Cup Lineups
1.a.1 Goalkeepers
1.a.2 Defenders
1.a.3 Midfielders
1.a.4 Forwards
Confirmed Iceland Team Squad for FIFA World Cup 2018
Talking about the full 23-man squad, it looks quite a balanced side with a strong defensive and attacking lineup. The goalkeeping gloves will be taken care of by Frederik Schram. The defence lineup will rely mainly on Ragnar Sigurdsson, Ingason, and Magnusson. Their strength will be the midfield which will help its feeble looking defence gain strengthen up a bit. The trio of Aron Gunnarsson, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, and Gylfi Sigurdsson will be pivotal for Iceland at the centre. Up front, it will be the likes of Alfred Finnbogason and Albert Gudmundsson shouldering the responsibility of finding the back of the net. Here is the list of all the 23 players named in the preliminary squad to participate in the 2018
FIFA World Cup for Iceland. Iceland World Cup Lineups
Check out full players list of Iceland confirmed for Russia World Cup 2018 below.
Goalkeepers
Hannes Þór Halldórsson, Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson, Frederik S
Defenders
Kári Árnason, Ari Freyr Skúlason, Ragnar Sigurðsson, Hörður Björgvin Magnússon, Birkir Már, Sævarsson, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Hólmar Örn Eyjólfsson.
Midfielders
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson, Birkir Bjarnason, Arnór Ingvi Traustason, Emil Hallfreðsson, Gylfi Sigurðsson, Ólafur Ingi Skúlason, Rúrik Gíslason, Samúel Kári Friðjónsson, Aron Einar Gunnarsson.
Forwards
Alfreð Finnbogason, Jón Daði Böðvarsson, Björn Bergmann Sigurðarson, Albert Guðmundsson.